Government directed to consider PS Pruthi for selection as Member CBEC - CAT
PS Pruthi is a Chief Commissioner under the CBEC since 09.11.2011, having joined the IRS in 1978. He is aggrieved with the appointment of Sandhya Baliga, Shobha L. Charya and Lipika Majumdar Roy Choudhary as Members of the CBEC, while his own candidature was not considered. In the year 2012-13, four vacancies arose in the Board on 1.5.2012, 01.08.2012, 4.9.2012 and 31.12.2012 and the three ladies were appointed to the three vacancies. Pruthi's claim is that he was eligible for the fourth vacancy, as he would have completed one year of qualifying service by 31.12.2012, having been appointed as Chief Commissioner on 09.11.2011. But he was not considered, as he did not have the requisite service as on 1.4.2012.
The Tribunal was convinced with his argument and directed the Government to enlarge panel of the year 2012-13 as per the relevant Recruitment Rules by considering the Applicant for the vacancy arising on 31.12.2012 as per his merit and as per rules as he has already been promoted as Chief Commissioner on 09.11.2011 and fulfilled the requirement of the Recruitment Rules.
The Tribunal did not agree to quash the appointment of the three Members as they were found to have the requisite one year's required service in the prescribed post even as on 01.04.2012, the question of considering them not qualified for the post does not arise.
Now, will Government consider Pruthi's case promptly and appoint him a Member of CBEC? He still has 11 months of service left.
For the full text of the CAT Order, please Click Here.